Appointments

Our aim is for your problem(s) to be dealt with by the most appropriate clinician in a timely manner and to avoid unnecessary trips to the surgery.

Urgent Appointments

If you feel your problem is urgent and you need to be seen today, you will be offered an appointment accordingly. If all available appointments on that day have been booked, the receptionist will offer to add your name to the triage doctor's list and s/he will call you back as soon as possible to discuss your problem. S/he will then decide whether you need to be seen urgently, whether you need a home visit, an appointment with an alternative health professional (e.g. nurse) or whether advice over the telephone will suffice.

Routine Appointments

If you wish to book a routine appointment, you will be offered an appointment up to 4 weeks in advance.  

Appointment Duration

Appointments with the doctors are usually for 10 minutes.  If you need a longer appointment because, for example, you think you may require an intimate examination, or you have an especially complex, then please tell the receptionist.  There is no need to disclose the reason for the appointment to the receptionist. 

Please also be aware that a 10 minutes appointment is to deal with one problem, if you have multiply problems, please ask for a longer appointment when booking.

Home Visits

We are pleased to provide home visits for the housebound and those too ill to come to surgery. 

If you feel a home visit is appropriate please telephone the surgery before 11.00am whenever possible and be ready to give our receptionist an indication of the nature and urgency of the problem.  The doctor will usually wish to speak to you before arranging a visit. 

You should be aware that the quality of care we are able to provide in the home may be less than can be offered at the well equipped medical centre. Unfortunately lack of transport itself is not a reason for a home visit. 

Telephone Advice

If you feel you just need some advice, the receptionist will offer to add your name to the triage doctor's list and s/he will call you back as soon as possible to discuss your problem.

This system is in place to ensure that you will be seen by an appropriate clinician within 24 hours. Unfortunately, this means that you may not always be able to see the GP of your choice